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THE MINISTRY OF A CHILD 



THE MINISTRY OF A CHILD 



A BOOK OF VERSES 



by 



T)Vu . 

Martha Foote Crow 



s^ 



The Wind-tryst Press, Chicago 
M dccc zcix 



T5/4-13 



Copyright, 1899, 
The Wind-tryst Press. 



60 516 3 

FEB i 1 1941 



1 

i 
T- 

% 

i 



TO AGATHA 
(O that she may know I) 

And to those dear friends who were with me 
during her short and beautiful life; 

And to those of my women friends into 
whose hands this book of verses, with my love, 
shall come; 

And to that great friend, who though she 
never knew Agatha, yet cherishes her memory 
as tenderly as though she had known her; 

And to those whose gentle hands have helped 
to fashion and print the small volume: 

This book, which is a little story in verse, 
is, with undying remembrance and affection, 
dedicated. j^^ P^ ^^ 



FATHERHOOD 

My father dear, the splendor of thine eyes 
Was as a beacon in the storm and stress 
Of my young days; I saw thee then address 
Thyself for battle, unknown potencies 
To face; the future thou didst pawn, didst prize 
Emblazonment of fame and the caress 
Of the world's sweet and subtle favor, less 
Than humble crust with living true and wise ! 
Truth thou hast passionately loved, the voice 
Within listened intently, wast not blind 
To the faint, shining footsteps' print that wooed 
To chase a vanishing ideal. Thy choice 
Deliberate was this, and thou didst find 
A narrow place on earth but heavenly food 1 

This banqueting thou tenderly didst call 
On me to share. Thy message was to burn 
The treasure-laden ships behind, to spurn 
The coward's invitation to enthrall 



The active mind by brooding over all 
Mistakes of vanished days, and thus to earn 
The fellowship of spirits great that yearn 
To right the wrong and rescue those that fall. 
So when the lesson hard for me was set, 
Thine eyes' sad majesty was my command; 
Thy gentle greatness was the power beguiled 
Me following after thy sure step. And yet 
My heart, dear father, ne'er did understand 
Thy heart, until God gave to me a child ! 



8 



TO ANGELO 

Thine ardent eyes look o'er the crystal wall, 

Sweet Angelo ! 
They brim with light, they love, they long; 
In their mysterious depths the wish to roam 
Burns with a changeless glow. O come, I call, 

Sweet Angelo, come I 

I dream thou'rt come. That flashingjoy so near, 

Sweet Angelo, 
My hand unworthy shades away lest blind 
I grow. Thy nestling fingers white as foam 
Hurt sore; thy brow's expanse strikes fear; 

Yet — Angelo, come I 

Is't true that pain and love in thee must meet. 

Sweet Angelo? 
Then come, dear pain, and make love drain 
The heart for once, and strike this crying dumb; 
And come, dear love, make pain more swiftly 
fleet; 

Come, Angelo, come ! 



II 



Come on the swiftest sun-ray, and flash out, 

Sweet Angelo, 
The light's unfearing smile I Strike through 

the blue, 
And bring its love-tint to thy waiting home. 
And with unflinching gaze put wrong to rout ! 

Come, Angelo, come 1 



12 



THE CONFLICT 

I would be sad — 

And yet I cannot be, I must be glad 1 
Within my heart goes on a mimic war; 
On come the soul's trained passions, battle- 
fired, 
Pale Reason leading, calm as morning star. 
To meet them sweeping down comes, unattired 
For battle and unmarshalled and unled, 
A horde of conquering instincts strong and 

fleet, 
In robes of heavenly brightness habited. 
With voices trumpet-toned yet silvery sweet, 
And glances that compel like lightning swift. 
And when this overwhelming host she sees, 
Like broadening sun-rays through the cloud's 

wide rift, 
Reason with all her forces turns and flees ! 

And so although I would be sad, 

I must be glad. 



13 



THE VOICE 

First time that deep and sweet and tender thrill 
Reached to my heart, as though swift lightning 

flashed 
On a black night, a waiting world to spy. 
The pulses of my being all stood still 1 
Before the awful truth I stood abashed; 

"Fear not, O mother," 
Spake a voice ; '* Sweet mother, it is I ! " 

Fear not 1 It is the archangel's voice again. 
Fear not ! O hear the welcoming, warning word 
Speaks in that touch within my being's core, 
And trumpets to my hope: "Fear not 1 To men 
Comes help — but to thy heart a sword 1 

And yet, fear not. 
But think of me, sweet mother, evermore!" 

Sweet mother! Ah that infinite tender word 
Lures tears into my eyes, prayer to my heart; 
Brings joy that ne'er before was dreamed to be ! 
Welcome and blessings on thee, friendly sword. 
Though through my outmost soul thy piercings 
dart! 
Ah listen, heart. 
And hear again, "Sweet mother, think of me ! " 

14 



Sometimes when whelmfid in a sea of cares, 
When faith storm-blinded, drenched and dumb, 
Scarcely the guiding finger still can see, 
Fails courage 'neath the burden that she bears, 
I feel thy present comfort gently come 

Unfailing ;— *• Mother, 
Think of me, O mother, think of me ! " 

When unsealed mountains awful rise before. 
Abysses darkling yawn 'neath black-browed 

peaks, 
Dangers unnamed await, and cruelly 
A scourging duty urges more and more, — 
Thy gentle sweet reminder softly speaks: 

'* Brave heart, O mother ! 
'Tis for me, sweet mother, 'tis for me!" 

And when my weighted love gaily sent forth, 
Dismantled, haggard, worn and sad returns. 
And all my poured-out treasures scorned I see. 
My sacred hoardings counted little worth. 
Thy voice within my heart unfailing burns: 

"I am here, O mother! 
Think of me, sweet mother, think of me!" 



15 



When solitude unutterable surrounds 
Amid the vexed and rushing city throng, 
With them I chase a thing I cannot see, 
Moved by some potent impulse that astounds 
My judgment, — then like undertone of song, 

I hear, — "O mother, turn. 
And think of me, sweet mother, think of me !" 

And e'en among choice friends whose clasping 

hands 
I many weary years have longed to take. 
Whose loving eyes' response have longed to 

see. 
Thy touch my inmost heart quickly demands, — 

"Nearer than all of these for love's dear sake 

Am I, O mother ! 
Think of me, sweet mother, think of me! " 



10 



THE RESPONSE 

I bow before thy pure and kingly claim, 
Thou whose young crown of sunlight-raying 

hair 
I yet have never seen and ne'er may see; 
Thou whose unspoken heavenly-royal name 
My untrained ear not yet to hear could bear; 

Of thee, dear one, 
I think; sweet one, I think of thee! 

I'll think of thee, thou well-spring of my joy, 
Heart of my heart, until the appointed hour — 
More near than ever chosen one can be 1 
No day can be so darkened w^ith annoy 
But that thy bidding shall have power 

O'er me. Dear one, 
I'll think of thee; sweet one, I'll think of thee. 

And if I never see thy darling face, 

Ne'er read within thine eyes the heavenly lore, 

Never by thy child-love uplifted be, 

Ever shall ache thy waiting unfilled place ; 

Still shall my spirit bound foreverraore 

Be to thine own; 
While life shall last, dear one, I'll think of thee. 



17 



And more — the thrill thy vivid heart-beat sends 
E'en to my heart speaks of immortal years, 
As heaven's broad rim in dewdrop's round we 

see. 
'Tis joy, 'tis life thy living presence lends; 
Thy life shall conquer death, shall conquer 

tears. 
Thy life, dear one, 
Forevermore, sweet one, I live with thee. 

Yes, through eternity's long day unflecked, 
Where infinite joys await beyond, above, 
And God's clear smile in peace unveiled we see, 
And pain long since endured is little recked, 
No angel love can win me from thy love ; 

Forever mine, dear one. 
While eons onward swing I'll think of thee! 



i8 



THE HUMAN CRY 

The morning sunlight broods upon the polished 

mere ; 
The multitudinous shoals of fishes swarm, 
Or fickle dart beneath the shadowy pier, 
As stricken by swift impulse of alarm. 

Down where the slime clings to the green- 
fringed stake, 
I see a glittering thing, a bubble, start 
And quiver, then a dainty spiral take, 
And to the ether as if homeward dart. 

O life I do we as bubbles blindly whirled 
In spirals, through enveloping darkness move, 
Only in vastness empty to be hurled 
And lost in unimagined space above? 

But, heart, who made the spiral motion rare, 
Springing unwilled from ooze beneath the 

flood? 
Who lifted that blue-ceiled expanse of air. 
Drawing us upward ? Help us, help, O God I 



19 



A NIGHT THOUGHT 

Alone I list the haunting terror of the night ; 
The speaking clock-tick, and the melancholy drip 
Of rain-drops on the shingles, and the swishing slip 
Of branches 'gainst the eaves, like robes of ghosts 
affright* 

I hear the twitter of the swallow birdlings sweet, 
Stirring in comfort soft beneath the downy breast 
Of the warm mother-bird within their chimney 

nest. 
In their bird language mystic comes her answer 

meet. 

O mother mine, beneath the rain-soaked leaves 

long laid ; 
O father far, and childhood past, and sweet love 

gone; 
O hope delayed, and risk and ruth and fruitless 

moan — 
Ah God, were I a bird, nestling and unafraid I 



30 



SONGS IN THE NIGHT 

Soft melody moves nightly o'er me, 

Tender and sweet; 
Now swiftly hurrying on before me 

With airy feet; 
Now floating almost to my lips, 
As downward bird-flight smoothly dips 

With movement fleet. 

And now I hear the music fading 

Into the sky, 
With might my very soul persuading 

With it to fly; 
And yet a sweet tone strangely blends, — 
Can it be mother's voice that lends 

The melody? 

Why do I see her sweet eyes beaming 

Out of the dark? 
Why do old childhood thoughts come stealing 

Over me? Hark! 
'Tis now from heaven a mystic strain — 
'Tis now her voice, with bliss and pain 

Clearly I mark. 



31 



Yes, song that all the night goes ringing, 

Thou'rt lullaby; 
The strain I hear her dear voice singing 

Is lullaby. 
O mother dear, with radiant brow, 
Shall I be loved as thou, as thou 

Sing lullaby? 



22 



LULLABY-DAYS. 

Lullaby-days, for you I wait 

With joy, with fear, in doubtful state ; 

The dreaded, longed-for heavenly boon 
That if it come at highest noon 
Or dawn or midnight, still comes late. 

Shall not my questionings cease debate, 
My sad heart stop its war with fate, 
When once I hear thy magic tune, 
Lullaby-days? 

And shall not love dissolve all hate. 

And hope and fear together mate? 

I list the answer — a baby's croon I 

Ah, sweetest time, come soon, come soon; 

Bring me that song from heaven's gate, 
Lullaby-days ! 



23 



THE LAST HOUR 

I wandered in a land of shadows, pressed 

By shapes of horror, clutched and hurt and torn, 

Yet struggling ever on, until outworn 

And spent, from dim Beyond an angel blest 

Brought thee, dear one, and gave thee to my 

breast. — 
Then came old Death and clasped me. Most 

forlorn 
Of the dark shapes was he; his kiss was born 
Of sharpest sword-thrust and of heavenliest 
Sweet balm. But when he saw thy regal form, 
Whose very weakness was its sceptered law, 
He shuddered, turned, and swiftly fled away; 
And all the hideous troop like spending storm 
Sped after into darkness. Then I saw 
'Twas thou, sweet guest, would lead me back 

to day ! 



24 



FIRST BABY SONG 

Come, little dove, 

Come over in the nest I 

Come, little nestling. 

Come to mother's breast I 

Cry not, O cry not, 

There's coming pain enough I 

Alas, my bairnie. 

The ways of life are rough 1 

Sleep, darling bairn, 
Thy mother's heart beats near; 
Cuddle warmly down 
And never dream of fear. 
Wake not, O wake not, 
Stay one moment more; 
Give, O give this comfort, 
Now the long pain's o'er! 



25 



JOY OF TEARS 

O baby love, why criest thou 

Upon thy pillow white? 

Knowest thou the meaning of thy tears. 

Through all the long, long night? 

O heart of mine, why criest thou 
Through all the long, long night? 

stem that ceaseless flow of tears 
That blinds thee from the light I 

1 lay my face by thine, dear bairn, 
Upon the pillow white. 

And weep tears meaningless as thine 
Through all the long, long night I 



26 



THE BABY'S HAND 

Despair came to me robed in ashen dress 
From cobweb loom of fate. His pitiless 
And hungry eyes burned upon mine; apart 
His eager lips were; and my throbbing heart 
Stood still, as to fulfill my strong desire, 
He reached a fluid dark in glass of fire. 
"It is oblivion," he gasped. My hand 
I stretched. I felt his breath that hotly fanned 
My face. My parched throat cried out to drink 
The opiate sweet — so without pain to sink 
Away forever. Then in the gathering night 
Thy helpless hand, like wandering ray of light, 
Reaching and fluttering toward my heart I saw; 
And the up-swelling of some heavenly law 
Obeying, with one swooning cry, I caught 
My hand back from the goblet bright, and 

sought 
And clasped thine own, with quelled alarm, 
Thy pleading hand, so tiny but so warm I 



27 



MIDNIGHT SONG 

My darling baby lies 
Deep in the pillo^w nest; 
Those wondrous owlet eyes 
Shining their loveliest. 

Those eyes are diamonds rare, 
Black diamonds gleaming bright, 
To catch with beckoning flare 
The treasure-hunter's sight. 

Two mountain lakes are they, 
Reflecting clearest stars. 
Whose placid, undimmed ray 
No midnight ripple mars. 

Twin berries dark that gleam 
Within a shady place ; 
Twin beadlets where the stream 
Stays in its tumbling race. 

Pure wells they are that keep 
Secrets no one can solve ; 
Within their mystic deep 
Shadows of thought revolve ; 



28 



Or maps to trace sweet nooks 
In the undiscovered land; 
Illuminated books 
No man may understand; 

Or forge-fires from whose light 
Creation's secrets spring; 
Or forest circles bright 
Where dancing fairies swing. 

The gates are closing — closed; 
The jewel's gleam is dim; 
And clouds stream unopposed 
Over the lake's soft rim; 

The music floats afar, 
The page blurs tremblingly; 
And sailing fancies whelmed are 
Beneath a slumbrous sea. 



29 



TEACHING OF MOTHERHOOD 

Child! child I — I spoke the word so soft and 

round, 
I sang it, shouted, triumphed in the thought; — 
So heedless playing on that great stop caught 
Humanity's antiphony profound. 
For as I made that single note resound, 
Beneath its roll another chimed and sought 
The ear, and in my waiting heart-depths taught 
That heavenly-sweet word 'mother' how to 

sound ! 
I listened. Soft the notes played on and grew 
To one. Springing within an infinite past 
It touched an infinite future, reconciled 
All peoples who through its revealing knew 
The heart of God. Then on my lips at last 
I felt come quivering the words, "My child !" 



30 



SLUMBER SONG 

Fare thee well, my dainty baby, 
Fare thee well to Slumberland 1 

Down a glittering dream comes riding, 

Floating on a cloud of amber, 

Gently takes thee by the hand; 

In her magic spells confiding, 

Lures thee to the Land of Slumber; 

Curtains starry eyes so softly, 

Quiets waving hands so deftly. 

Sings a lulling dreamland tune. 

Whispers an unspoken rune. 

Weaves her sleep charms without number. 

Lures thee to the Land of Slumber. 
Fare thee well, O sweetest baby. 
Fare thee well, O fare thee well 1 



31 



PEACE 

When from the wearying war of life 

I seek release, 
I look into my Baby's face, 

And there find peace ] 



32 



TREASURE TROVE 

O'er my treasure in a casket 
I bend and gloat and dream; 
My heart's enthralled with gazing 
On the gems' entrancing gleam. 

There are rubies clear and topaz 
Cream- white and rosy-pink; 
Forget-me-nots of turquoise, 
The fairest gem-set link. 

There are pearls, seed pearls, the purest 
That e'er were seen to shine; 
And gold, spun gold,— no finer 
Was ever found in mine. 

Wouldst know where lies my treasure, 
My gold and rubies red? 
'Tis just my baby darling, 
A-dream in the cradle bed ! 



33 



SOUL ADVENT 

And now comes thought and makes a heavenly 

throne 
Upon thy brow. Expressions unforeknown, 
Creations new, yet speaking of the past, 
Touch here and there upon thy face, the last, 
Dear babe, of lines ancestral lost in mist. 
Manifold meanings keep mysterious tryst 
Within the shadows of those wondrous wells 
That are thine eyes; and royal will dispels 
Obscurity, puts all beneath his yoke 
And sends a vivid, energizing stroke 
Down to thy slender shell-tint finger tips. 
A human smile touches thy lovely lips 
With radiance clear shed from immortal life. 
Thou knowest, laughest, grievest ; thy tears 

have strife 
With smiles. Thy lips can plead, thine eyes 

reprove. 
Thy small arms press and draw,— do they not 

love? 
O days of babyhood, still lingering, 
Yet pass like pearls a-dropping from the string, 
Irrevocable pass, as twilight fades, 



U 



On to the ever duskier growing shades 

Of things that were ! And now in distance dim 

Responsibility and Duty grim 

And wrinkled Care, a trio sad but kind, 

I see draw near. Were not their forms outlined 

Against the light cast on the hills of hope. 

Thou raightest long to turn again and grope 

Back to thy primal home, and sink and hide 

Thy spark of life beneath oblivion's tide. 



35 



'Ayadd 

Maybe my baby 

Isn't sweet 1 
My pearl of a girl 

Complete I 
The light of her bright 

Eyes clear; 
The tips of her lips 

Just dear! 

Maybe my baby 

Can't talk 1 
You may say what you may, 

Laugh and mock; 
She replies with her eyes' 

Rhythmic line, 
And she charms with her arms' 

Action fine. 

Maybe my baby 

Isn't wise 1 
She can speak ancient Greek, 

Latinize; 
Says •*ago" 1 —Really so ! 

If you would 
Ask her name, she this claim 

Makes:— **I-good." 
36 



THE CHRIST CHILD 

Wonder divine ensphering heaven and earth, 
And calm foreboding of a coming woe, 
And trenchant courage strong for awful stress, 
And buoyant love that fain would lift the lost, 
Dimmed o'er with question, yet in the far depths 
Pregnant with living everlasting yea, — 
This sees each mother in her own child's eyes; 
And this the secret strange and passing sweet 
That piques the ages in the dreaming orbs 
Of Raphael's mother- throned, godlike child I 



37 



MOTHER'S PAY 

When the babe lies on the heart 

Cares depart; 
Heavenly peace, heavenly rest 

Fill the breast 
When the babe lies on the heart. 

When I look on baby's face 

In baby's place, 
Vexing snarls to smoothness run. 

Magic-spun, 
When I see that peaceful face. 

Than queen to people more to thee 

I joy be; 
Than people to their queen thou'rt more 

Told o'er and o'er 
In every breath of thine to me. 

When thou liest on my heart 

Hatred's smart 
Turns to sweet; love's soft spell 

The way knov/s well 
Through baby's lips to mother's heart. 

O'er responsive eyes and lips 
Sleep's eclipse 

38 



Softly falls, breathing bliss 

As I kiss 
The tiny rosy finger tips. 

While with thee sweet tryst I keep 

Half asleep, 
In thy silver dream-world boat 

Soft I float 
Over slumber's sacred deep. 

Lesser duty's strident scream 

Drops its theme; 
Joy and duty are one code 

Heaven-bestowed, 
While I watch my baby dream. 

As I gaze on baby's face 

Angel's grace 
Falls around. Who from home 

Cares to roam 
While she sees the baby's face? 

When my babe lies on my heart 

Cares depart; 
Heaven and home by heaven's grace 

Are one place. 
When my babe lies on my heart. 



39 



THE PRINCESS 

The Princess holdeth Court today, 

She with the eyes so blue; 
And all her subjects gather round 

To offer homage true. 

And he on whom her clear glance rests 
Counts this his happiest day, 

And proudly in his heart he keeps 
That recognizing ray. 

And he on whom her sovereign hand 

Confers its rose leaf thrill. 
Laughs care away, has courage new 

To live and conquer still. 

But ah I the one that gayest turns 

Back to the rank and file 
To serve forevermore, is he 

That wins her dimpling smile. 



40 



TIE OF MOTHERHOOD 

In the clear morning air my baby rides 
In royal state, and her proud charioteer 
I happy am to be. And when draws near 
Another train, its pilot's eye confides 
To mine and mine to hers, the love that guides 
Our steps. I greet with reverence sincere 
Her monarch, she greets mine; and so endear 
And bind we mother-hearts whate'er divides. 

I love all women 1 Those who proudly boast 
Their living children, those whose hearts are 

strong 
For one unborn, and those whose babes are 

clay. 
But oh, those do I love and pity most 
Whose breasts to give their flowing sweetness 

long 
To the unquestioning lips, yet never may I 



41 



A MOTHER'S MOOD 

To school ? O no, my darling boy, not yet ! 
I caught him, held him close and would not let 
Him speak. My heart felt then, he clinging so. 
That mingled pain and bliss that mothers 

know. 
And while that bobbing head a trice was still, 
A dream flashed through my mind without my 

will. 
I saw a backward path with flowers of gold, 
Music and peace, all that the heart could hold; 
A tiny hand was w^arm w^ithin my own; 
Too short, alas! for here the path was done, 
And ever after there went winding two 
Instead of one. I saw my own path grow 
Grayer and ever grayer, downward slope 
Until it reached the fields where shadows grope 
And into search-eluding darkness merge. 
And then I saw my boy's — ah God I diverge; 
I felt his fingers slip from mine; I saw 
Him laughing turn; I felt the cruel law 
Of growth and change crush down on me, 
But him bear up a rocky steep which he 
Went gaily climbing. Then in my swift dream 



42 



I saw the lurking serpent's cruel gleam, 

The snare that waits the brave that dare aspire ; 

I felt the horror of the flood, the fire; 

I saw the enemy, the blow, the fall, 

The star-crowned height, — then darkness 

shrouded all; 
I felt with swooning heart the farewell kiss. 
Ah God, must mothers bear a pain like this? 
Go not to school, brave boy, but with me stay 
Ever and still forever and a day ! 



43 



FIRST FLIGHT 

The eagle mother when she thrusts her young 

Out from the eyrie home, knows well that she 

Is near at hand to ward the enemy 

Away, to right the awkward stroke air-flung, 

Swiftly to dart beneath, catch the unstrung 

And wearied flight, and, after, restfully 

In swinging circles bear. — Not thus with me. 

When thou goest forth, dear bairn, my heart 

is wrung. 
Knowing I cannot save thee shouldst thou fall. 
But ah, if prayer can heaven storm, then must 
Thou be upborne; if love can testify 
By spirit touch, thy loss will I forestall 
With ministry of strength, when thou art thrust 
Out from the nest, thy fledgling wings to try I 



44 



II 



DEPRIVED 

He only knows the pride of native land 

Who stands with feet touched by unheeding^ 

foam 
And sees his country's flag afloat from mast 
Of ship that yet shall never bear him home. 

He only knows the deepest sweet of home 
Who exiled feels a pain the whole day long 
That pierced his heart when on the morning air 
He heard a strain from his own childhood's 
song. 

She only knows the passing love of child 
Who hears some young voice cry and starts 

to run 
And help, but snatched by memory sees the 

place 
Her one child lies, its pain and crying done ! 



47 



HEAVEN'S WELCOME 

Sweet child-soul, walking slow and earnestly 
Up through heaven's blinding splendor, all 

amazed, 
Thy wondrous eyes to infinite heights upraised, 
Oh, in thy heart what tremor must there be, 
Heart that was wont to beat tumultuously 
But yesterday against my own, when dazed 
By touch of strangeness only, thou hast gazed 
Like startled fawn, then swiftly turned to flee 
To thy sure refuge on my breast. Is all 
Forgot, thy cry for cure of mother's kiss. 
All crushed beneath the stroke of death's 

demand ? 
I wish, I almost pray, that even beyond the 

wall 
That circles heaven's glory, thou mayst miss 
The clasping of thy mother's human hand. 



48 



PROSPECT 

What rich and ever widening life for thee 

I planned 1 The long procession of the books, 

The revelations of the quiet nooks 

Of nature where her gems are wont to be, 

The consecration of philosophy, 

And beauty, — in the secret-telling brooks 

And amber peaks and every leaf that looks 

For heaven's rain and shine; — these were to be 

In thy unfolding mind, the fertile seeds 

To blossom and bear fruit in strong desire 

To add new things to life by mental throes, 

Some thought, some knowledge won in chrism 

of fire. 
Some sweet philanthropy whence ever flows 
The outward-circling influence of good deeds. 



49 



MUSIC OF EARTH AND HEAVEN 

And music! In my dreams that on before 

Went ever pressing, I could plainly hear 

Thy childhood's trembling touch delight my ear ; 

I saw thy slender fingers o'er and o'er 

The lesson con, thine eyes the master's score 

Study; the interweaving notes as clear 

As crystal came, as round as breath-blown 

sphere. 
I heard thy voice its tender sweetness pour 
To bless the home with song. O thou didst fill 
The lonely house with music till it seemed 
Like summer morning radiance soft and still 
That bathes the land with bliss! Such dreams 

I dreamed. 
But now the music thou dost hear and make 
No echo in my earth-dulled ear can wake I 



50 



SCHOOL OF HEAVEN 

What teachers wilt thou have where thou art 

gone, 
With tender touch and piercing kindly eyes! 
What heavenly lore, what scrolls of mysteries 
To con! All cloudy veils will be withdrawn 
From purposes divine, and a clear dawn 
Will shine for thee, unfolding poesies 
Of infinite and cosmic harmonies. 
Where love and law, and law and love move on 
Together ever, clasping hands. On thee 
Shall ne'er be laid doubt's paralyzing hand. 
Angels, archangels, waiting, listening, stand 
Thy trial of the heavenly speech to see; 
Thy wise young questions will have answers 

meet. 
Not half truths dim, but certainty complete. 



51 



BLEST KNOWLEDGE 

And doest thou see me now, dear one? Dost 

know 
How silent is the air thou didst make glad? 
Dost know how I stand weeping, tortured, mad 
With grief, because thou art not here? If, so, 
Thou wouldst be happier, if 'twould bestow 
Another rose of bliss, if it would add 
A single bud of joy for thee where clad 
In rainbows thou dost wandering go 
Among new flowers in heavenly gardens, then 
I pray that thou mayst know how much I miss 
Thy presence here where in the dark I grope! 
But if in thy high realms of rapture when 
Thou thinkst of me thou'lt lose one thrill of 

bliss, 
Then that thou dost not know I almost hope I 



52 



THE SAFE SLEEP 

I sat among the mothers and I heard 
Them, counting o'er their bhsses, say 
The sweetest, happiest moment in the day 
Was when the children went to sleep. Deferred 
Until the last, it was the best. No word 
Could tell the quiet joy, recounted they, 
When after all the wild and noisy play 
The wee ones in the cradle were, unstirred 
By aught except a breathing soft that fell 
And rose like gentlest waves. There one 

could think 
Them safe at last ! I heard in anguish deep, 
And thought, O why can we not deem it well, 
Yes, and a bliss, when our beloved ones sink 
Into that last, that deepest, safest sleepi 



53 



VOICES 

I hear soft sounds that haunt the rooms where 

thou 
Didst live. At night a breathing low; then 

peace 
Flows in. By day a cry from where caprice 
Has led thee, and I start to help. And now 
Thy gurgling laugh that always smoothed the 

brow 1 
And in the morn when I in sleep's release — 
Moment so exquisite I almost cease 
My breathing — turn to see, adoring, how 
Thy eyelids slowly lift, how comes the gaze 
Of recognition veiled, then, O the burst 
Of opening joy that blossoms in thine eyes! — 
The thought flits out but memory waylays 
And strikes it down. A thousand undispersed 
And haunting voices bring a thousand lies! 



54 



THE SPIRIT'S VEIL 

What are these sounds and voices that trans- 
form 
The stillness? Like the tinkling of soft bells, 
Of wandering flocks in shadowy mountain 
dells, 

That fill the tremulous air and storm 
The wanderer's ear and welling upward swarm 
A chorus dim, so that he scarcely tells 
Whether 'tis fairy chimes with circling spells 
From far beneath, or that a potent charm 
Has caught the spheric music of the stars, 
Drawn down the song before which angels 

bow. 
What are you, voices that my heart assail ? 
Are you but ghosts of moments that the bars 
Of time shut back? Or is it, darling, thou. 
Trying thy arts to pierce my spirit's veil ? 



55 



THE FINAL DESIRE 

If at the end I could one single day 
But feel thy beating breast against my own, 
But hear thy voice's pearl-like human tone, 
But know the warmth again, the sweet lips' pay 
Of kiss-toll, that best child and mother play, 
The comfort fathomless, that thou alone, 
Sweetest, couldst bring, all pain that I have 

known 
For thee, how gladly would I suffer, yea, 
A thousand years, each year a thousand fold ! 
This via dolorosa would I bound 
To enter, and to travel calmly o'er, 
Supported by the vision glad foretold, 
Of that one day with thee! O then, the round 
Being o'er, to die and sleep forevermore! 



56 



THE VISIT OF SORROW 

When to my lips the chalices of gold 
And pearl were passed as winged day and night 
At life's high banquet served their joyous rite, 
My listening heart with prescience keen, fore- 
told 
The step of Sorrow, far but nearing. *'Hold! 
She comes; prepare," it whispered. "When 

her blight 
Falls here," I said, "I will be ready; fright 
Shall not benumb, nor terror strike me cold." — 
Yet at thy knock, O Sorrow, I would fain, 
The lights gone out, have stayed to breathe 

that air 
So sweet. O friends, have patience if ye may; 
Grant respite short; then I shall courage gain 
To take her hand, and to go forth will bear I 
But — just a little longer let me stay I 



57 



Ill 



FOUR CHILDREN 

Four children have I loved. Like four-fold star 
They cluster in love's empyrean. Ah, 
The visions conjured by their names! They are 
Queen Bess, Queen Mab, and Dor' and Agatha. 

The Queens were sisters. Bess with eyes 

a-dream 
Spun tales of knights a-tilt by her play desk. 
And Mab I see hold forth the lantern beam 
To light the way, a picture Remembrantesque. 

Dor' works at home with all her might and 

main. 
And fairy-like sets round the tea things for 
The company, and helps to entertain 
With dainty grace. Great help is she, is Dor'! 

And Agatha awaits in listening pose 
My call. Chin-deep in flowers I see her stand, 
Her bonnet back, while o'er a mountain rose, 
Like poising bird, hovers her flower-like hand. 



6i 



These were the four. Ah dreams that flash 

and go 
Upon the dark! Ah ruthless tides of years 
That down life's gentle valleys sweep and flow 
And leave but memoried ruins, tender tears! 

Now Bess in great Elizabeth is lost, 
A champion of the last, most bold 
World-wide reform; and 'neath her woman's 

breast 
Beats staunch and true a woman's heart of 

gold. 

And gentle Mabelle all unconsciously 
O'er the dark path a braver lights now lifts; 
In her wide eyes broods life's great mystery, 
And in her hands she bears life's precious gifts. 

Dor' answers not. Her name is Dorothy, 
So please you ! She has found her Self, sur- 
veyed 
The boundless circle, and her dignity 
Repels the profane touch. O sweet, sweet 
maid I 



62 



Gone, gone, the three, each to her life's career, 
Winding away from where our pathways 

crossed ; 
Veiled and transformed in the encompassing 

sphere 
Of thought and circumstance, the Child is lost. 

And Agatha? She drank one draft was drawn 
From the enchanted wells of infinite sleep; 
The charm worked; and my memory-haloed 

one 
Ever a laughing, dreaming child I keep; 

A child that comforts in my brooding thought, 
That, visioned among flowers that rejoice 
In brightness which her loveliness has brought^ 
Stands ever waiting, listening for my voice. 

World's children grow up, into life are whirled ; 
She ever stays, pours radiance soft and mild 
To bless my way; a link with the whole world 
Of children is my own transfigured child. 



63 



THE SLAVE CHILDREN 

A traveler came home from his travels 
And this is the story he told: 

He once found a boat in an inlet 
By an African strand of gold; 
He stepped on the deck of the vessel 
And looked dov^n into the hold; 

He looked and saw in the darkness 
Shining like starlight cold, 
The eyes of hundreds of children 
Looking out from the hold; 

Of hundreds of dark-browed children, 
This was the story he told. 
Torn away from their dusky mothers, 
Trapped and stolen and sold. 



64 



Their wondering eyes were pressing, 

By innocence made bold, 

The soul's immortal question 

From the depths of that slave-boat's hold. 

Their asking eyes seemed embattled 
Like bayonets in line 
To stab to the hearts of monarchs — 
Ruling by right divinel 

O kings and princes, how like you 
This story of slaves and gold? 

The traveler I have forgotten, 
His stories of woe and mirth; 
But the eyes of those little children 
Follow me over the earth. 



65 



Kings sit on their thrones in splendor, 
On their thrones majestic and old; 
They reck not those human children 
To the Arabic slaveship sold. 

And queens that are mothers are reigning; 
Their towers have jewels untold; 
What care they for black mothers' children 
In cargoes bound and sold I 

And sweet Justice still sits blinded, 
The scales tipped by greed and gold; 
But alas, for those eyes of children 
Looking out from the hold I 

O listen, O listen, sweet princes. 
The story my traveler told I 



66 



V 



A CHILD 

How thou dost give, O fervid five-year-old ! 
With v^hat wild fury dost thou throw the wine 
And fire of thy keen spirit on the air ! 
Mad spend-thrift of thy heart's and lip's rare 

gold, 
What gusts of passion, waitings of despair, 
Untrammeled joy and woe in flashes fine! 

Thy moods bewitch; but yet a lurking fear 
Foreboding cries. Entrancing butterfly, 
I weep the tearing of thy tender wings! 
Poor little ship starting with hope so clear, 
Beyond the foam-path where thy white sail 

sings, 
I see the storm-wrack rising on the sky ! 



67 



GOD AND THE CHILDREN 

Take my children, 

My poor children, in from off the street! 

You who dwell in homes you did not build, 

By hearth fires that you did not light; 

You who reap from fields you have not tilled, 

By human artifice of right; 

You who sit and comfortably eat 

What came by sweat of others' brows, not 

yours ; 
You whose brains with myriad plannings reel 
For gain that never happiness ensures; 
You who when you give not calmly steal 
My children's portion, steal my children's meat; 
O take my children in from off the street I 

Do you not see them there outside the pane, 
My children ! — standing up in rows? 
Their eyes show blue-ringed in the globe- 
light's rain 
Of radiance that softly flows 
Out through the dark; more generous than they 
That lit the lamps, it folds them in its warm 



68 



Embrace, it clasps them to its glowing heart. 
Too small to think a vengeful thought of harm, 
Too young to reason that their rightful part 
Is rudely reft from them, it is more sad 
To see them shivering bask in the unwarming 

bloom 
Of light that streams out from the rich-hued 

room, 
Than if they clenched their scawny fists, and 

mad 
With bitter gall of hatred turned away. 

My children's hands were made as satin soft 
As yours; my children's lips could grow 
As round and flower-like as those aloft 
There in your nursery, aglow 
With light, lace-hung, immaculately neat. 
Were they but daily nourished with sweet milk, 
'Twould woo the rounding curves to come on 

cheek 
And limb; could they too rest on beds of silk, 
'Twould give sleep time to cleanse away the 

reek 
Clouding their skin, to make the rose hues rise, 



69 



And fill their veins with pure blood keen as 

wine; 
Time to paint out the horrof from their eyes, 
Time to touch in the sparkle there. In line 
Unlovely hang my children's curls, all stiff 
With frozen threads of gutter slime; but if 
By human tender hands they once could be 
Touched with the wonder-working alchemy 
Of your soft babies' fragrant bath, so sweet 
And wholesome, lo, their gold would instant 

shine! 
O take my children in from off the street 1 

Take my children, you whose daughter fair 

Has grown a lily tall, whose son 

Now matches you in height; and you that wear 

The long night out with tears that run 

In streams that hide my children on the street, 

In bitter streams for those who in eclipse 

Of death bowed down their shining promise; so 

Greet now my children; on their unkissed lips 

The debt for blessed presences you owe 

Whose heavenly chrism you did not rightly see 

Until they took their flight, lay reverently. 



70 



My children's feet by winter's grip made numb, 
Might rosy be as were your babe's before 
You laid them white away. O let them come 
And scamper up your stairs! My children's sore 
And frost-scarred fingers cling upon the bar 
Outside; O call them in and let them beat 
The moan back in the place where moanings 

are! 
O take my children in from off the street ! 

And you O childless women, you who were 

Not dowered. with earth's best blessedness, 

That final comfort-source, the stir 

Of life beneath the heart, the press 

Of soft lips to the breast, yet not denied 

The might divine that swells within the heart 

Of those that store their love: O do not draw 

A respite from the deadening of the part 

That feeds sweet womanhood's full blossoming 

law, 
Nor let the heaped floods leap their high-built 

bounds. 
Scan not forever loneliness* black deeps, 
Lone hearts, but know that clear content that 

sounds 



71 



The sorest woe, O from this cup that keeps 
My heart-pain down, drink and be satisfied I 

When *neath the serried lights the snow clouds 

spin, 
Listen and hear my children's cries! 
The people pass. They still the voice within 
By tossing pence that pauperize.-— 
Why should my children find upon the street 
Their downward-pointing only school, my boys 
Grow foul, my little girls be made to hear 
And lisp hell's whisper through the highway's 

noise? — 
My lady laps her fur, and leaves them there, 
And by her fire forgets. — With them I cry 
Outside, my little ones! I call, O why 
Are hearts so hard, sweet impulses so fleet I 
I cry to you, O hearts of stone, to break 
And melt; to you my elder children, take 
My little children in from off the street ! 



7a 



AN INTERPRETATION 

Hundreds of pale, unfathered children swarm 
Upon that catholic breast, the city square; 
'Tis pestilence that breathes upon their lips» 
And 'neath their eyelids wolves of famine glare. 

These be the bubbles on life's turbid sea, 
The last despairing, speechless speaking 

breath, 
That show where the unmothering mothers 

gasped, 
And one by one sank to unnoted death. 



73 



TWO WOMEN 

One stood with eager eyes in thronged arcade^ 
Awaiting prey and prey herself to be; 
One walked with arm in lawful clasp and made 
A shining wake upon the street's black sea. 

Each one with gaze direct shot bitterness 
Into the other's heart; and one I saw 
Go strangle life unborn, one went to press 
Her virtue's store down famine's yawning maw. 

Each for mere food and raiment low did bow 
Her pauper heart, a well-appointed link to be 
In man's consummate social scheme. Canst 

thou 
O man of woman born, a difference see? 



74 



TO A DEFENCELESS ONE 

O would I were an eagle swift; 
Then on my outspread wing 
Thee would I gently stoop to lift 
And to thy home-land bring 1 

O would I were a gallant knight 
To ride forth to the fray; 
Upon my sword-point heaven's light, 
Thy ravager to slay I 

O would I were a castle strong; 
There in its inmost keep 
Would I protect thee from all wrong, 
And lull to restful sleep I 

O would I were a mother fair 

To clasp thee in my arm; 

There shouldst thou sob out thy despair 

Upon my bosom warm! 



75 



CALVIN'S REPROACH 

Calvin, I have somewhat laid up 'gainst thee! 
Not for those troops of children unelect 
Thou wouldst make wander wailing in a 

wrecked 
And desolate limbo, but for that company 
Of living mothers on whose spirits free 
'Twas thou didst clinch thy clamps, that didst 

project 
An added bitter in their tears unchecked, 
Force the dark doubt in their extremity! 

See the long sorrowing train with heads bent 

low 
For thy hard words 1 Thine eyes must look on 

them, 
Their hot pain must draw slowly through thy 

heart. 
That anguished helpless question thou must 

know 
That rises in their eyes thee to condemn, — 
Else shalt thou never have thy just desert I 



76 



GOD'S PATIENCE 

God, dost thou not see thy sweet world lies 
Beaten, struck down, and wrong thy power 

defies? 
Not see that bleeding fall thy strong and brave? 
How long, how long, O God 1 O look and save! 
Into engulfing darkness fiees my sister fair. 
Hounded by want and pain, clutched by despair. 
My child, — mine, thine! — here strangled lies; 
None smites the slayer nor heeds it v/hen she 

dies. 

1 see the loved and lovely downward whirled — 
My God, my God, I cry, thy world, thy world! 

Child, eons long I waited since my world 
A seething chaos into dark was hurled. 
Thousands of weary years I've nursed and led 
Its faltering steps on toward a firmer tread. 
Millions I yet will watch for flower and fruit 
Until the evil grovels, throttled, mute. 
Take thou my hand; my trusty helper be; 
Look once into my heart and wait with me. 



77 



THE BABIES IN THE STREET 

Had thy quick ear, O God, to earth been turned, 
Above the psalm intoned and pealing bells, 
Thou hadst a soft pervasive wail discerned; 
It is the babies, God, the babies sweet, 
A-dying in the street I 

Their eyelids lift and looking up they see 
Thy steadfast stars that sing of steadfast law; 
Their eyelids fall, the stars of destiny 
Never again those wondering eyes to raeet» 
A-fading in the street. 



'o 



Because thou couldst no better token find 
To show thy heart, thou didst by mother-love 
Our love entreat. Deep-bosomed rest enshrined 
In arms of mothers clasped unfailingly 
Should thy dear comfort be. 



78 



But mother love has failed and mothers thrust 
Their babes out in the night and leave them 

there. 
E'en should theirs fail, thou saidst thine we 

should trust; 
Yet on the babies' heads the cold rains beat, 
A-dying in the street. 

Virtue of women, choice commodity. 

Buys gewgaws, sense delight and eye-flash 

power. 
With breath of babes that did not ask to be, 
Soft breath of babes that know nor fear nor 

strife, 
Yet have not asked for life! 

Virtue of women, fate's most cherished pledge, 
Forfeit to grinding greed, pawn of despair, 
This dainty morsel dulls starvation's edge; 
Poured out with tender life in rain and sleet 
To melt upon the street. 



79 



Yet let the tender life sink down to death, 
Like water spilt and lost. 'Tis better so. 
And do thou treasure, God, the babies' breath 
If thou hast built among the realms of bliss 
A treasure house for this! 

Far better thus. Let them not live to see 
Their mother's shame dovetail the ancient 

scheme 
Of human life, her pang its blood-stained key. 
Yet O to see them lying there so sweet, 
A-dying in the street ! 

If but their veritable fathers saw 

Them there, the gutter-cradled ones I — their 

wrap 
Undainty paper soiled and whipped, the raw 
Night breezes knifing their soft feet 
In foulness of the street. 



80 



Where are the men that boldly stand and saj 
The unquivering word, hurl it in devils' teeth, 
No child of theirs rots out its little day 
In slime of slums? Cut through their lethargy 
And bring them here to see. 

Send down thy ladies fair, reposeful, clean, 
Half-sisters only to the forfeit clan; 
Let madame on the velvet cushion lean 
And glimpse between the wheels familiar eyes. 
God, pity her surprisel 

Send down thy champions prosperous and 

well-fed. 
That never knew the watering of the lips 
At hunger's pinch, the spasm at sight of bread; 
And while to peace the babies' breathings sink, 
Let them stand by and think 1 



8x 



And send thy troops of pitying angels, such 
Alone will cherish these poor children, these 
Whose blue and stiffening lips the blissful touch 
Of human mother's breast shall never meet, 
A-dying in the street. 

Angels for all their tears can never right 
The vyrong done to these unreplying babes; 
Yet let them weep until their grief shall smite 
Hard hearts that leave the babies there so 
sweet 
To die upon the street. 



m 



MOTHER AND CHILD 

Transfigured through a sweeping rain of tears, 
I see a single happy childhood day 
That shines amid the shadows of past years 
With sparkling ray; 

The day I heard my mother's thimble rap 
Upon the window pane to call me in, 
And ran to lean upon her bounteous lap, 
Her praise to win; 

And looked up to my heaven in her face 
And felt those clearest wells of living light 
Pour out their willing floods of gentle grace, 
My choice birthright; 

And for one moment passionate was held 
Against a heart whose beating pulse I heard 
Beneath the fragrant dress. My own heart 
swelled. 
With wonder stirred. 



83 



This one dear memory I have of her 
Who soon thereafter grew so heavenly bright, 
She slipped away into a glorious blur 
Of dazzling light; 

And left me in the dark to grope around, 
Trembling and stumbling in an unknown land, 
Falling and wounded, with my hurts not bound 
By her dear hand. 

O mother, mother, many a time have I, 
A woman grown, longed to pour out my grief 
Upon thy breast, with childhood's tears to buy 
An hour's relief! 

O once again upon the folds to lean — 
Soft flowers upon a ground of ivory white — 
Of that dear dress, to feel thine eyes serene 
Pour down their light I 



84 



To have thy tender hand laid on my hair — 
In all the earth no other hand's caress 
With thine could I unblasphemous compare— 
Lifted to bless; 

So soft its palm, so cool, so dry. and O 
So firm its loving clasp! its arching line 
Of veins I see upon my own, and know 
Myself for thine. 

Yet other morns and eves I dimly trace 
On memory's oblivion, in whose fair 
And glowing scenes I do not catch thy face, 
Yet thou wast there, 

A presence all-pervading; just thy law 
And sweet thy spoken word; so that thou art 
To me today in emblem without flaw 
God's mind and heart. 



85 



There were the nights, dear mother, when we 

played 1 
What wild delight! A gay papoose, perched 

high 
On father's back I came, madly afraid 
Thou wouldst not buy! 

ne'er again by regnant state or church 
By mace or jewelled crown or sword or pen, 
Shall I so guarded be from hostile search 

As I was then; 

When hidden behind the wide-enfolding tent 
Of thy soft dress, I calmly did await 
A fell marauding brother, keenly bent 
To seal my fate! 

Then there were mornings when curled on the 
floor 

1 figured with horse-chestnuts brown a den 
Of lions fierce, or battles streaming gore — 

'Twas war-time then — 



86 



Struck down full many a foe debased and vile. 
And lived through many a life heroic, merged 
Through epochs of thy interrupting smile 
When love o'ersurged. 

Among the treasures of that shattered past 
I keep a pillow cover worn and soft 
On which thy darling cheek has lain. O fast 
And thick fall oft 

My bitter tears when on its yielding gloss 
I lay my weary head and call again 
Those troops of childhood spirits from across 
The gulf of pain I 

Those dreams and plays are gone, and on my 

brow 
Has rested heavily for many a year 
The double weight of pain and care. And now, 
O mother dear, 



87 



Weary of drifting ever on the wild 
Tempestuous courses of a starless sea^ 
Homesick and heavensick, thy tired child 
Would come to thee; 

Would come to thee, O mother, mother dear, 
Where'er thou art, in what far lonely space, 
Knowing my home is there where shines thy 
clear 
And radiant face; 

Knowing that there upon thy changeless breast 
I shall weep out the tangle and the smart, 
And find a heavenly cure for my unrest, 
My lost child-heart! 



88 



TO THE SMILING PICTURE OF 
AGATHA 

What would you ask of me, expectant eyes, 

Eyes of my child beloved? 
Those radiant dreamings of the hour when thoo 
Didst lie upon my arm. those prophesies — 
Where have they gone? Does my heart faii 
me now? 

Ah do not ask, O sweet, O heavenly eyes, 

Eyes of my child beloved I — 
But I confess; yes, in the dark I grope! 
Yet would I never lose your dear replies, 
Would come to you for test, for faith, for hope! 

What would you say to me, demanding eyes, 

Eyes of my child beloved ? 
Your challenge before every portal stands, 
Flashes a truth *neath every sly disguise, 
And leads me back with gentlest countermands^. 



89 



Speak to me, tell me, dear, reproving eyes, 

Eyes of my child beloved I 
With my despairs your courage interweave. 
** There is a Fatherhood, v^hoe'er denies, 
A kinship for all human souls that breathe! " 

Why do you smile at me, O shining eyes, 

Eyes of my child beloved ? 
^* All's well; to thee can come no touch of harm, 
If thou but keep those dreamings of the skies 
That blest the hours when I lay on thine arm." 



90 



CONTENTS 

Fatherhood, 7 

Part I To Angelo, 11 
The Conflict, 13 
The Voice, 14 
The Response, 17 
The Human Cry, 19 
A Night Thought, 20 
Songs in the Night, 21 
Lullaby- Days, 23 
The Last Hour, 24 
First Baby Song, 25 
Joy of Tears, 26 
The Baby's Hand, 27 
Midnight Song, 28 
Teaching of Motherhood, 30 
Slumber Song, 31 
Peace, 32 

Treasure Trove, 33 
Soul Advent, 34 
Agatha, 36 



92 



The Christ Child, 37 
Mother's Pay, 38 
The Princess, 40 
Tie of Motherhood, 41 
A Mother's Mood, 42 
First Flight, 44 

Part n Deprived, 47 

Heaven's Welcome, 48 

Prospect, 49 

Music of Earth and Heaven, 50 

School of Heaven, 51 

The Safe Sleep, 52 

Blest Knov7ledge, 53 

Voices, 54 

The Spirit's Veil, 55 

The Final Desire, 56 

The Visit of Sorrow, 57 

Part HI Four Children, 61 

The Slave Children, 64 

A Child, 67 

God and the Children, 68 



93 



An Interpretation, 73 

Two Women, 74 

To a Defenceless One, 75 

Calvin's Reproach, 76 

God's Patience, 77 

The Babies in the Street, 78 

Mother and Child, 83 

To the Smiling: Picture of Agatha, 89 



94 



I 



r 




6 



WE printed this book in a smalJ 
edition, for our friends ouiy, 
-.^^* during January, eighteen huQured 
h\ :: and ninetv-nine. 



C 32 89 



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